Tilapia on Fly

[sthrncomfort 0]

Took advantage of a rare day off to try something new this past weekend.

 

I have always seen a large amount of Tilapia surround the banks of my neighborhood ponds, but I could never get them to take a bait of any kind.

 

After a bit of light reading, my luck changed for the better on Sunday.

 

 

 

Sight fishing the male fish guarding the beds along the bank proved to be the best tactic.

 

I tied some Soft Hackle Streamers in Black/Purple that did the job.

 

All in all they were a pretty fun fish to catch.

 

 

[mikechell 0]

OOOoooooooooooooo I've caught one Tilapia ... it took a popper. I've wanted to catch more ever since. They are great eating, huge fish, like a bluegill on steroids.

Pray tell, or show ... what size hook, what did the fly look like ???

[eastern fly 0]

How big is that? It looks like a healthy size fish. Nice job, what's your fly like?

 

Kevin

[sthrncomfort 0]

This is the pattern I was using.

 

http://www.jackgartside.com/step_sh_streamer.htm

 

I used a size 4 Gama SS15.

 

I tried one with the mallard flank and one without. The fly without the mallard flank worked better in this case, but to maintain a baitfish profile for other species it sure seems to help.

 

I simply stripped the fly into the bed and watched the fish. Eventually, the fish will pick the fly up to remove it from the bed. With a carefully timed hook set you'll have the fish in hand in no time.

[sthrncomfort 0]

How big is that? It looks like a healthy size fish. Nice job, what's your fly like?

Kevin

 

They all came in around 2-3 lbs.

[Chefben4 0]

Nicely done! A guide I fish with down in FL catches Tilapia quite often. Ill have to ask what they are using as I just saw some recent pictures.

[DoubleHaul 0]

That's a nice fish. I wish I could crack the code on tilapia. They are bedding here now but so far no takers.

 

I got this one a few months ago blind casting

 

[riffleriversteelheadslayer 0]

them are some pretty tasty looking fillets there